About two-thirds of investigative journalists surveyed (64%) believe that the U.S. government has probably collected data about their phone calls, emails or online communications, and eight-in-ten believe that being a journalist increases the likelihood that their data will be collected.

Those who report on national security, foreign affairs or the federal government are particularly likely to believe the government has already collected data about their electronic communications (71% say this is the case), according to a new survey of members of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) – a nonprofit member organization for journalists – by the Pew Research Center in association with Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism.
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Rep. Markwayne Mullin

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) said Wednesday that the fight over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) epic power grab continues even as the agency indicates that the final rule regarding the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act may be issued by April 2015.

Mullin has been a leader in the U.S. House of Representatives against the proposed rule and the EPA’s attempts to significantly expand the definition of what qualifies as a water of the U.S. to the detriment of farming, ranching and many other sectors that create jobs.

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Senator Rand Paul

Updated: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) clashed with CNBC host Kelly Evans over a number of topics Monday, including vaccines, a corporate tax holiday proposal and the basic idea of freedom. At one point, Paul grew so frustrated with the interview that he literally shushed the host, putting his finger over his mouth and telling her to quiet down.

If only the American people could do the same.

Evans first confronted the senator over comments he made to radio host Laura Ingraham in which he argued parents should be able to decide whether or not to vaccinate their children.

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Al Sharpton, just not that sharp on a ton of details

Every Al Sharpton business has been shut down in at least one jurisdiction and it appears his crimes are catching up with him a review of public records in New York and Delaware has revealed.

According to National Review Online, the records of Sharpton’s organizations are “copious, confusing, and sometimes outright bizarre; and together, they depict persistent financial woes for Sharpton, who also personally owes New York State nearly $596,000, according to active tax warrants.”

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Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today voted for the cloture vote on the motion to proceed in the Senate to H.R. 240, legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of fiscal year 2015 while defunding President Obama’s executive amnesty order announced this past November. The legislation failed by a vote of 51 to 48.

“At a time when our country faces serious threats, it is disappointing that Senate Democrats would block funding to the Department of Homeland Security and prevent provisions in this bill from proceeding that would only enhance the security of our nation,” Inhofe said.

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